Philip. 1.
9. ANd this I pray, that your loue may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and all sense.
10. That ye may discerne things that differ: to the ende, ye may be pure and without offence, to the day of Christ.
11. Filled with fruits of righteousnesse, which are by Iesus Christ, vnto the praise and glorie of God.
The Exposition.
THis praier containes three parts. In the first, Paul praieth for increase of loue in the Philippians, whether it be to God or men, v. 9. and he shewes the meanes of increase, which are two: knowledge and sense, or feeling. For (to goe backeward) the more a godly man feels Gods loue, and hath experience of Gods word in himselfe; the more he knowes of Gods word, and perceiues his loue vnto him: the more he loues God againe, and his neighbour for his sake.
The second thing praied for, is the gift of discerning, whereby men know, what is true, what false: what is to be done, what to be left vndone: the endes of this gift are two. The first, that by meanes of it, they may be pure and sincere: that is, keepe a good conscience before God and men in their liues and calings. The second is, to be with∣out offence: that is, innocent, giuing no occasion of euill to any, and not taking them offered by others: and the continuance of those is noted to the day of Christ; which is the time in which he commeth to vs, either by our death, or by the last iudgement.
Thirdly, he praieth that they might abound in good workes, which are described by a similitude, fruits of righteousnes: Christians beeing fruitfull trees. Ezech. 47. 12. Esay 61.3. 2. By the cause efficient, which are by Christ. 3. By the end, vnto the glorie and praise of God.